Ask Dr. Vinny

Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, or "Vinny" for short. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the technical aspects of winemaking to the fine points of etiquette. I hope you find my answers educational and even amusing. Looking for a particular answer? Check my archive and my FAQs. You can also follow me on Twitter: @AskDrVinny.

My wife is expecting the birth of our first child in August. In celebration she wants Champagne. I have a '90 Krug Brut. What is the optimum temperature to serve it at? Reds are easier than whites when it comes to this question.

—Daryl, Seattle

Dear Daryl,

Congratulations! I say that the woman who gives birth to your child can have whatever she wants, served at whatever temperature she wants. Traditionally, though, Champagnes are served at around 50° F—with a chill, but not so cold that you can't taste anything.

If the wine is at room temperature, stick it in a bucket of ice and water for about 20 or 30 minutes. That should do the trick. You could also chill it in the fridge for a couple of hours, but never, ever, put it in the freezer. I can't even imagine the mess it would make if you happened to forget about it.

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